Senior Horticulturist-Supervisor (11225, Grade 24)

The Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission is an award-winning organization with over 5,000 employees that administers over 52,000 acres of parks and recreation areas throughout Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. This position is located in the Northern Area Landscape section of the Horticulture & Forestry (H&F) Section, which provides landscape horticulture services across the park system.

About the role

The incumbent will apply a full knowledge of landscape and plant management to supervise work crews responsible for maintenance and landscape projects. Responsibilities include planning landscape maintenance, scheduling and evaluating crew work, surveying parks and facilities to determine landscape needs, and assisting in the design of gardens and landscape areas.

Responsibilities

• Supervises landscape maintenance crews engaged in maintaining parks, gardens, and other landscaped areas.
• Plans, schedules, and assigns work; evaluates performance and counsels staff on improvement.
• Plans and directs major landscape programs for a designated geographical area.
• Surveys parks, gardens, and other Commission facilities to determine landscaping needs and recommends maintenance and capital improvement projects.
• Assists landscape architects in the design of gardens and landscaped areas.
• Estimates materials, equipment, supplies, and other resources needed for projects.
• Monitors, inspects, and approves contractor work.
• Installs and designs botanical displays; reviews planting plans, selects plants, and designs layouts for seasonal outdoor gardens and indoor plant displays.
• Implements tree care programs, including pruning, de-staking, mulching, and weeding.
• Plans, coordinates, and directs grading, seeding, sodding, wildflower meadow installation, and maintenance.
• Implements reforestation and habitat restoration projects.
• Maintains records, files, inventory, real property, fleet vehicles, equipment, tools, supplies, and materials pertinent to areas of responsibility.
• Prepares routine and technical reports and correspondence.
• Manages unit’s budget, prepares annual budget requests, and controls expenditures in accordance with approved budget.
• Obtains price quotes, initiates purchases, prepares purchase requests, and oversees contractor work.
• Performs and oversees technical horticultural tasks, including soil testing, soil amendments, pest identification, and corrective action.
• Uses GIS technology to manage planted assets, community garden sites, inventories, and data collection.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture or a related field.
• Two (2) years of professional experience in horticulture or a closely related field.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience totaling six (6) years may be substituted.
• Valid driver’s license in accordance with State and Commission rules and regulations; must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points.
• Must obtain a Maryland State Pesticide Applicator’s License within twelve (12) months of employment.
• Must be certified by the Maryland Department of Agriculture as a Certified Fertilizer Applicator within six (6) months of employment.

Schedule

Work hours are 6:00 am – 3:15 pm.

Pay

Salary range: $65,465 – $115,941.